* * *
9:59 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...
Nexus Apartments...
"Welcome back Ms. Griffin and Kat," Henry the security guard said as they walked through the glass front doors. A taxi had dropped them off out front.
"It's good to be back, Henry," Kim said. "A very trying day today."
Deep in thought, Kat only nodded to the security officer.
"That's too bad," Henry replied. "May your night be better."
Kimberly's view...
"Thanks," I reply as I enter the elevator first, that woman follows, and then the cab doors close.
I consider the events of the past several days. Voice sent the Raven and the Wolf from Russia before he gave me the Topa Closing, so why is Voice so worried about someone knowing my identity as the Phoenix? Why did Voice question whether or not I had taken care of said person if I was to be closed? Did Voice believe the Closing would be canceled, and if so, is Voice even the one who issued it? Or did someone else call for my termination and why? Am I still in danger? Will I be like that woman? Will I be hunted until I'm killed? The cab doors open, and I walk toward Apartment H.
End Kimberly's view...
Zax entered Apartment G as they walked by, and then he paused, came back out, and greeted them. "Hello."
Kat held her ribs as she said, "Hey, Zax wasn't it?"
He nodded and then he questioned, "Are you all right? You look like you were in a fight." He noticed she wore body armor.
"Umm..." Kat started.
"Racket ball accident," Kim interrupted. "We play a mean game."
"Oh. Well, you better let a doctor take a look at that." Zax walked into his apartment, and the door slid shut behind him.
"Who's that guy?" Kim asked.
"A new neighbor. I met him several days ago. He seems nice."
"Nice." Kim chuckled and then said, "You do know you're not supposed to trust strangers."
Kat glared at her as she replied, "According to you, I'm not supposed to trust anyone."
Kimberly's view...
"Oh..." I'm shocked at first by her comment. "That's right. Trust will only get you killed." That woman doesn't respond to my remark, so I look to Apartment G.
This is weird now that I think of it; I've never seen any of the other residents since I moved into Nexus two years ago. I always thought it was because of my odd hours. We walk to Apartment H and go in.
Katharine's view...
Mentally and physically weary, I move on to the couch, drop my backpack beside it, and sit. I stare at the TV for a few seconds, then remove my Ravlek Vest and jacket, and drop them to the floor. I lift my shirt and examine my bruised ribs. On the taxi ride over, I listened to the music box, went into the Drifting Time, and allowed my body to heal. A few marks remain. I pull my shirt back down and examine my shoulder. I need to listen to Unfinished Melody a few more hours, and then I'll be fine. I lie back.
I don't think I can do this. I don't think I can be partners with Kimberly anymore. I glance at her reflection. I don't trust her, so what am I doing here? Can I really accomplish my goals with someone I'm afraid will betray me again? No, this isn't going to work.
End Katharine's view...
Kim paused in the kitchen and then went to her bedroom. "I'm going to take a bath." After about an hour, Kim walked out wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head. The door bell rang, she glanced at the woman who was fast asleep on the couch listening to the music box, and then Kim questioned, "A.C.S., who is at the door?"
"One moment, Ms. Griffin. It is Marc from the security desk. He has two messages," the Apartment Computer System replied.
"Tell him to leave them at the door."
"At once," A.C.S. replied. After a few minutes, A.C.S. stated, "He has left."
Making her way to the front door, Kim pressed the button and the door slid open; she grabbed the messages and returned to the kitchen. One message was for her and the other was for Kat. Kim placed Kat's on the kitchen counter and opened her own. "Kimberly, if you could please stop by my office tonight. There's something I would like to discuss with you. Signed father."
Kimberly's view...
What does he want? Is it another attempt to bond with me? I go to my bedroom, put on an aqua pant suit, grab a purse, and place the PPK in it. I glance at that woman who's still sleeping. No need to wake her. I'll write her a note. I finish writing the note and head out.
End Kimberly's view...
After about forty-five minutes, Kat woke, sat up, and closed the music box. She lifted her shirt and checked her bruised ribs; they had healed. She leaned back and noticed the apartment was quiet.
"Kimberly?" No answer. "Kimberly?" She checked the apartment, found the note and message on the counter, and read the note.
"Katharine, I had to go out for a while. Marc delivered a message for you. It's on the counter. If you get hungry, call down to the security desk, and they can order a pizza for you and charge it to the apartment. Signed, Kim."
Katharine's view...
I pick up the message that's addressed to me, surprised that Kimberly's worried if I'm hungry or not.
I don't know if I want to work with someone like her; someone who only sees the dark side of things.
I open the message and read, "Dear Ms. Kat, I thought about our discussion and would like to talk with you more about organic-mecha at your convenience. Come anytime day or night. The Genesis Arboretum security will let you in. Signed, Adam Greenhouse."
I place the message on the counter. Should I wait for Kimberly to come back? No, Adam didn't necessarily say she had to come, anyway... I feel the emptiness of the apartment, and I don't know when Kimberly will return and this could be important. It could shine some light on my past or maybe on Theresa's murder. I decide I'll go and see why Adam wants to speak with me, and it'll give me some time to think about trust. Can my partnership with Kimberly work without it? I glance around the apartment. Is this where I'm supposed to be?
I clear my throat and say, "A.C.S."
End Katharine's view...
"Yes," it replied.
"Can I leave a message with you for Kimberly?"
"Yes. What is the message?"
"Tell her..." Kat paused and said, "Tell her Adam Greenhouse wanted to speak with me, so I went to Genesis Arboretum. Tell her, I should be back in a couple of hours."
"Message saved," A.C.S. stated.
"Thanks." She went into the bathroom, freshened up, and then Kat put on a new t-shirt. She grabbed her backpack, made sure she had the music box in her pocket, and walked out the door.